Inside This House

Chapter 9 Carson hated hospitals -- the antiseptic smell, the inevitable white linoleum hallways, and the memories. Putting down her magazine, she got up, making her way to the waiting room window where she pressed her forehead against the cool glass, staring out into the darkness. Even during the day there was nothing much to see outside other than a typical American suburb. No matter how much character a city might have, she'd come to discover that just outside the city limits there was typically a plethora of strip malls, zero-lot line housing, and chain restaurants to be had. Round Rock, Texas was no different. Her breath fogged the window and she reached up, swiping it with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. Kennedy had brought it along, tucking it into the back of the 4Runner. Carson smiled. Despite having delivered her twin nieces, packing up Katie and the babies for the drive to the hospital, and several phone calls to Parker, who had decided to rent a car and drive up to meet them -- despite all that, Kennedy had stopped and grabbed the shirt, offhandedly mentioning that hospitals were usually cold. Sure enough, she'd put it on over her tank top, staving off chills along her bare arms. Parker and Katie's doctor had been in Katie's hospital room for an eternity, and the babies were in the neo-natal unit for a thorough examination. Kennedy was on the phone with her parents, and had already e-mailed them pictures of the babies, snapped through the nursery window with the phone's camera. Carson could hear her low, raspy voice, a sure sign her partner was weary. Raspiness was usually reserved for the mornings, but there was an undercurrent of energy, Kennedy's voice occasionally rising in excitement as she discussed the twins' delivery with her father. Carson could only imagine how proud Joseph must be of his daughter. She, herself, was in awe all over again, and was certain Kennedy was a superhero in disguise. "You're my hero, at any rate," she whispered. Looking out at the lights lining the walkway leading up to the hospital, her thoughts turned to another time, and another hospital, and a grief that still lived deep inside her. A familiar ache rose in her throat and she swallowed. This was supposed to be a happy time, but even the birth of the babies couldn't completely overshadow Carson's past. A hand touched her shoulder and she jumped, as the phone was pressed into her hand. Kennedy kissed her cheek. "Sorry. Thought you heard me call you. Mama wants to talk with you." "Okay." Carson took the phone and lifted it to her ear, smiling as she felt Kennedy's arms circle her from behind and her chin rest on top of Carson's head. "Hi, Aileen." She reached down with her free hand, placing her own hand over Kennedy's, which was resting flat against her stomach. Aileen's voice drifted over the line and she forced herself to listen, as her future mother-in-law spoke excitedly of the babies and Carson's role in delivering them, and then the conversation turned, and the ache in her throat tightened. Kennedy felt the change, and the tension in Carson's body, and frowned, listening to her partner's side of the conversation: "No, it's definitely my least favorite place in the world, but I'll be okay. No, really. I'll be fine, I promise. I need to be here for everyone. Thanks for asking though." Carson's voice was shaking and broke momentarily, before she took a deep breath and continued. "It means a lot. Oh --" she sniffled, and took another breath. "Oh, no, Aileen. I'm just tired. It was a little scary there for a while but then Kennedy -- Shea -- she got home and it was a lot better after that. We weren't alone anymore … yeah, it does make me miss her, but it's okay. It's that circle of life thing and all, huh? Your -- your granddaughters are beautiful. They look just like you. Maybe it's time to make some happy hospital memories. Lord knows after this past year we could all do with that, couldn't we?" Carson laughed listlessly and Kennedy finally realized what her mother and partner were discussing. She continued to hold Carson, quietly waiting for the conversation to end, thinking about their last few trips to the hospital, and understanding for the first time just how difficult those trips must have been for Carson, on a whole new level. She'd heard the story of Carson's mother's death, but had never before thought of it in the context of events in their own recent lives. Looking around the room, she silently cursed. It was so sterile -- rough, brownish carpet covered the floor beneath her feet and beyond that was the cold, bright hallway, the unnatural lighting gleaming dully along the hall floor and bouncing brightly off the thick windows. A nurse with a cart scurried by, the wheels squeaking and its contents rattling. She felt a pat to her belly and realized Carson had turned in her arms. She immediately pulled her close, and Carson rested her cheek against Kennedy's chest, still talking to her mother, the phone pressed against her other ear. Carson's voice resonated against her skin, vibrating inside Kennedy's chest, and she remembered what it had felt like when they'd seen the white buck together. It was a similar sensation at the moment - Carson's voice inside her, mixed up with Kennedy's breathing and her heartbeat. She could feel Carson's ribs beneath her own hands, rising and falling as she talked, and her own emotions surfacing, mingling with those of the woman in her arms. At last, Carson said her goodbyes, and handed the phone back over. "She wants to talk to you." Kennedy took the phone in one hand, ducking her head and brushing her lips across Carson's forehead, lingering there for a moment. She pressed the phone to her ear. "I know. Mama, I know, okay …" She sighed dramatically and felt Carson snuggle more tightly against her. "Mama, we couldn't be any closer right now without -- oh, never mind … yes, I get it. Really. Mama, I'm not Parker. Mama!" Kennedy huffed. "It's been a very long evening, so please, cut me a little slack?" Carson abruptly took the phone from her and she closed her eyes. It was amazing how quickly her mother could make her feel sixteen again. They'd come a long, long way, but some habits were difficult to break. Her mother nagging from time to time was one of those habits. Kennedy whining back in frustrated response was another. And so she shoved it aside for what it was, listening once again as Carson spoke: "Aileen, everything's fine. We just both need a little tlc right now, and we have Katie and the babies and Parker to take care of. We're both overwhelmed, but I promise you, we're looking out for each other. She's taking good care of me … she always does." It was Kennedy's throat that tightened in surprised reaction to her lover's words, her eyes stinging. It was too much emotion for one evening and she was certain if not for Carson holding her up, her knees would surely give out in utter emotional exhaustion. After a few more moments, Carson ended the call and reached around, tucking the Treo in its holster at Kennedy's belt. "She's so proud of you." Carson hugged her tightly. "She asked me to make sure you know that. I am too, you know." "You wanna get out of here for a little while?" Kennedy stroked Carson's hair, tilting her chin up and studying wide eyes and a pair of damp eyelashes. "I never thought about -- Carson, I'm so sorry." "It's okay." Carson smiled. "Hey, at least for once we're not at the hospital because one of us needs to be admitted to it." Kennedy finally chuckled in relief. "Let's try to keep it that way for a while, deal?" "Deal." Carson hugged her again and they stood that way, rocking gently back and forth until a familiar voice interrupted, and Parker cleared his throat. "Can I have this dance?" Kennedy looked up. "Hey, how's Katie? And the babies?" "Katie is fine, but extremely exhausted. They're going to keep her and the twins overnight for observation, but they all appear to be in the clear. You want to meet the babies?" "Um, I kind of met them already." Kennedy smiled. "But yeah, I'd like to see them and then I think we need to head home. You staying here tonight?" Kennedy fully disengaged herself from the hug, feeling Carson tuck up against her side. "The guest room is yours if you need it." "Thanks, but yeah, I'm staying here. The other bed in Katie's room is empty." He eyed her suspiciously. "That's your doing, isn't it?" Kennedy laughed evilly. "Just consider it my way of keeping you indebted to me for eternity, bro." "God." Parker covered his eyes with one hand, shaking his head. "Shea, I know I've thanked the both of you a dozen times, but I just can't thank you enough. Come on, I think you really do need to see the twins." They followed him down the mostly-quiet hallway, their three pairs of sneaker-encased feet slapping quietly against the recently-polished floor. At last they reached the nursery and Parker stepped around the corner, motioning to a nurse sitting at the desk just inside the door. In a moment, Parker came back around the corner carrying one baby, a nurse in tow carrying the other. "Shea, meet Darby Aileen Nocona." He deposited a sleeping baby in her arms. And Carson …" He turned and retrieved the other baby. "This is Rory Carson Nocona." "Oh." Carson looked up at him, and then looked down at the tiny pink-blanketed bundle in the crook of her arm. The baby made a faint gurgling noise and settled contentedly against her, a tiny fist flailing for a moment before it tucked back inside the blanket. "Shea, I'm sorry we couldn't name another one after you, but you know Erin, she's so proud to be 'Erin Shea,' I think it would break her heart if we were to name her baby sister Kennedy. She's become a little possessive of being your namesake." "No worries." Kennedy smiled absently, studying Carson for any tell-tale signs of tears, but finding only a smile of elated wonder. "Mama will be thrilled with 'Aileen' for a middle name." "Yeah, with Ryan having Pa's name for his middle name, and Nathan having grand-pa Patrick's, that just leaves Pete." Parker eyed her hesitantly. "I guess when you have one, you'll have to --" "Don't even." Kennedy cut him off. "You talk to him tonight?" "For a few minutes, yes. He's coming by tomorrow." "To avoid me?" Kennedy rolled her eyes. "No. He has a frat party to go to tonight." "Typical, to put partying before family." Kennedy looked down at Darby She was sound asleep, the tip of a tiny pink tongue poking out slightly. One foot kicked from time to time. "What do babies this young dream?" she mused. "Don't know." Parker moved beside her, beaming proudly at his new daughter. "All they do is eat, poop, cry, and sleep." "They're beautiful, Parker." Carson moved closer, joining them. "Congratulations." She looked up and smiled, her eyes damp all over again. "And thank you. You didn't have to do that." "Shoot." Parker raked a hand back through his dark hair. "Are you kidding me? Without you being willing to stay home and keep an eye on Katie these past few months, we'd be up a creek. That little one may very well owe you her life." "She owes her life to her Auntie Shea," Carson answered softly. "A lot of us do, now." Kennedy glanced at Parker and handed Darby over. "Go to your Daddy, sweet girl." She stood behind Carson again, looking over her shoulder at Rory, who had Carson's finger in one fist, in a death-squeeze. "I do believe she loves her Auntie Carson already. You ready to go home?" "Yeah." Carson answered wearily. "Parker …" A nurse conveniently appeared and took Rory from her. "Is Katie awake?" "No, she's resting up for the next feeding." "Oh, then please tell her we'll see her in the morning." "Definitely." Kennedy took Carson's hand, giving it a squeeze. "I already called in and cleared my calendar for tomorrow." "Thanks, sis." Parker handed the baby over to another nurse. "You too, Carson. I'll see y'all in the morning." He turned and headed down the hall toward Katie's room. Kennedy and Carson walked slowly in the opposite direction, and out into the warm night. Carson climbed into the 4Runner, grateful for the blast of air conditioning that washed over her as Kennedy started it up. She quickly peeled off the sweatshirt, rolling it up and pausing just to look at it for a moment. "You okay?" Kennedy patted her on the leg. "Yeah." Carson looked over, then slid her own arm across, resting in its usual place on Kennedy's thigh. "Yeah. I was just thinking." "About?" "Katie has a keeper." Carson grinned. "So do I." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A cold, wet nose poked Kennedy's shoulder and she wrinkled her own nose in response. Slowly, she opened her eyes to find Spanky standing on her chest, kneading the blankets. "What?" she mumbled sleepily. "It's my day off. Not getting up yet, so go away." The cat merely turned in a circle and curled up on her stomach. An insistent purring tickled her and she stifled a laugh, wriggling around until she'd managed to dump him back down onto the mattress. Carson had somehow shifted during the night and was sleeping stomach down, her head resting on one of Kennedy's thighs, her arm clutching a pillow. The tangle of covers over and around them looked as if they'd waged a war in their sleep. Kennedy smiled. One cute butt cheek was partially exposed and she reached over, cupping the smooth, soft skin. The black pitch of night was gone, and she could make out almost everything in the room, despite the thick curtains that held back the sunlight. She glanced over at the clock and squinted. "Ugh." It was almost 8:30, late by her usual standards. They'd barely talked on the way home, and had fallen into bed completely exhausted. Still weary and a bit discombobulated, she re-played the events of the day before in her head. "Ugh." She repeated herself. It finally dawned on her what she'd had to do to deliver Rory, the second-born twin, and she suddenly felt a little queasy. She'd been on auto-pilot at the time, simply doing things exactly as she'd read about them, and she knew Katie was beyond caring about anything at that point, other than getting the baby delivered, no matter how it was accomplished. Still … "Ick." She covered her eyes with one arm, attempting to flush her mental cache. "What's the matter?" Carson's warm breath tickled her leg. "I'm glad we're adopting." Kennedy patted Carson's behind. "Huh?" Carson crawled up next to her and lifted Kennedy's arm, peering into her eyes. "Nothing." Kennedy smiled and caressed the back of Carson's head, drawing it foreword and rubbing noses with her. "Go back to sleep." "Okay," Carson mumbled, then yawned. She lay down with her head on Kennedy's shoulder, curling against her side. "Don't have to tell me twice." "Tired?" Kennedy stroked her hair. It was fine and silky, and she fluffed it through her fingers, giving Carson a scalp massage. Carson sighed contentedly. "Yeah, a little." "Me too." It was nice, lying there, drifting in and out of consciousness as they both made a half-hearted attempt at conversation. She'd text-messaged Parker after they got home and told him they'd be at the hospital by lunch time, and to call her if he needed her there earlier for any reason. She fervently hoped the phone didn't ring anytime soon. At that moment, the house phone sounded, much too loudly for the early hour. She stared at it, sitting on the nightstand, and reluctantly lifted the receiver. "Hello?" "Shea?" Heidi's usual morning hoarseness rattled her ear drum. "Please don't tell me there's a crisis already," Kennedy grumbled. "I really don't want to come in today." "Not here in the office, no, but have you been watching television this morning?" The sound of a long breath hissed over the phone line. "No, I'm still in bed, and you'd better not be smoking inside the office." Kennedy backed legislation to ban smoking in all indoor public places in Texas, and it was one of the items she planned to push if she was elected to the House. "I came outside to take a smoke break." "You just got there." "I don't smoke in the car - can't have it smelly if I have to drive clients around." Heidi's voice faded in and out for a moment. "Hold on. Big truck just drove by. Okay. Shea, there's a really ugly political ad playing on all the TV stations this morning during the local news. They've got you cussing at some reporters and they've bleeped out your words, and then they have some film of you on a motorcycle, with your hand blurred, but they say you're flipping the bird at the camera, and talking about what a bad influence you'd be on kids and stuff. One of the stations even picked it up as a news story. Hell, Shea, I didn't even know you had a bike anymore."

"My bike's in Alpine." Kennedy sat partway up. "I can't imagine when they would've caught that. I don't remember doing anything like that in years. Must be some really old footage" "Done what?" Carson sat up with her. "Flipped the bird at someone while I was on my bike." Kennedy shifted until Carson was settled comfortably against her. "I don't have a TV in the bedroom. Did you get any of it on DVR?" "I sent Marcus home to watch for it and record it for you. I hope that was okay." "Sure. And see if you can find out who's running them, although I'm sure at the end of the trail you'll find Roy Sanderson or some other Republican committee." Kennedy felt a tug at her arm. "Yes?" "Honey, when we filmed that short for those kids, you flipped us off when you rode off on the bike." Carson's forehead was lined with worry. "What's going on?" "Oh, shit." Kennedy rolled here eyes and shook her head. "I forgot all about that. Political ad. Not pretty. Well, that explains where that came from, but cussing out reporters?" "Looks like that was in front of your house." Heidi's voice drifted back across the line. "That had to have been yesterday, then. Someone sure did put that together fast." She frowned. "I smell a rat in the UT film department, but the other -- they must've had someone planted every time I've made a public appearance, just waiting for me to do something like that." "Well, Chip and Brian have already called here three times in the past thirty minutes. They tried your cell, but it was off, and I guess the house is unlisted." "It is." Kennedy picked up her Treo. "Oops." She turned the phone on and as soon as it cycled through start-up, it beeped for new messages. "Glad I forgot to turn that back on after I charged it, actually. I'd rather have heard this from you than them. Alrighty." She sat fully up and swung her legs over the bed. "I'm still not coming in today. I know the phones will probably be nuts. Please have everyone just take messages and state that the firm has no comment." "Will do, boss lady." Heidi's voice softened. "Hey, how are the babies and Katie?" "They were fine last night when we left the hospital." Kennedy smiled, despite the circumstances. "Two healthy, red-headed girls, Rory and Darby. Parker flew in last night and drove up from the airport. He stayed overnight with Katie, but we'll probably bring them here sometime today, and I imagine they'll go home as soon as they can. Katie's been chomping at the bits to see her kids." "I'll bet. Tell them congratulations for me?" "Sure. I'll check in later. Let me know if Marcus gets back with a DVD to watch." "Okay. Take care, Shea." Heidi hung up, and Kennedy replaced the phone in its cradle. "Damn." She rested her elbows on her knees and scrubbed at her eyes with her fists. "Hell of a way to wake up. I guess the gloves are off in Sanderson's camp. Brian and Chip must be having kittens." "I'm sorry I got you into that film, K." Carson sat on the edge of the bed, her legs crossed. She looked up, her eyes swimming with tears. "I'm not." Kennedy brushed her thumb across Carson's cheek, catching a tear. "I was playing a role and it was for a good cause. If some jackass wants to take that, or my behavior yesterday out of context, so be it." "I don't blame you for yesterday," Carson fumed, her cheeks red and her eyes going from teary to blazing mad. "Those reporters practically broke into the house. They're lucky I didn't come after them with a softball bat." "They're lucky I didn't run over them." Kennedy scooted closer. "Hey. It's okay. Really. I'll probably have to do some kind of damage control press conference, but I meant it when I said I don't care about this race. Not in the grand scheme of things." "It's still not right." Carson nudged her a little, bumping their legs together.

"No, but all I can do is explain. I can't do anything about what people do with that information." She patted Carson on the knee. "I'm no saint. I made that clear when I signed on for this gig. Brian and Chip and the voters will get over it or they won't." She stood, holding out a hand. "Let's go get some breakfast and then go visit the babies." "Alright." Carson took her hand, allowing Kennedy to haul her to her feet. She grabbed her own phone and turned it on as they walked down the hall, nearly dropping it when it rang. "Hello? Who? No! … What part of 'no' don't you understand? So? Go call someone who cares. Good lord." She ended the call and studied the phone for a moment. "Twenty-five messages? Hell, no." With a press of a button, she turned the phone off again. "Who was that?" Kennedy held the dogtrot door open for Carson to pass through. "Fracking Playboy wanting to know if I would pose for them for an article on political wives." Kennedy spun around, nearly tripping over the living room rug , and sending animals scampering to various corners of the room. "You've got to be kidding me." "Honey, it's almost 9:00 a.m. and I haven't had any caffeine yet. Do I sound like I'm kidding?" Carson groused. "Good point. And no." Kennedy located the coffee grinder. "But I'm going to make you a triple latte, right away." "Do me a favor?" Carson sat down at the center island and began peeling oranges to make fresh-squeezed juice. "Anything." Kennedy filled the grinder with espresso beans. "Add a shot of the strongest liquor we've got." "Seriously?" "Honey -- " Carson stopped peeling for a moment. "I was just propositioned by Playboy before breakfast. I'm dead serious." "You know, I may have a shot, too." Kennedy set the espresso machine to brewing. "Between fisting my sister-in-law and my fiancé getting calls from Playboy, my brains are about to melt." "Fisting your -- Oh, my god. Never mind." Carson covered her eyes. "Skip the shot, just bring me the whole bottle." "Share?" "Absolutely." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kennedy glared at her closed office door. She didn't want to be there, and given her mood, she knew her staff didn't really want her there, either. Her day off had lasted all of four hours, before Heidi called, begging her to come in and handle the incoming calls. The ads had been picked up by national news wires, and suddenly she felt as if everyone wanted a sound bite from her. Her cell phone rang and she wearily lifted it, studying the caller ID before she answered. "Hi Parker." She forced a more cheerful note into her voice. "Hey, Sis." He hesitated, and his tone softened. "How's it going?" "Just peachy," Kennedy deadpanned. "That good, huh?" "I'd rather be having dental surgery," she replied. "So, is Katie getting out of there today?" She had no desire to re-hash her morning, or the ads, or the two dozen calls she'd fielded just from Chip and Bryan, before she finally agreed to a press conference the next day and asked them to leave her alone. "Actually, yes. They're finishing up her discharge paperwork as we speak. And she wants to go home. Mama and Pa are going to keep the kids through the end of the week, and she wants some time at home with the babies, to settle in, before the rest of them arrive." "Can't say as I blame her. Can she and the babies fly this soon?" Kennedy poked around with her mouse, hunting for a private jet service. "The doctor advised against it. I was thinking of renting a station wagon or SUV and putting the back seat down and making a pallet for Katie and the babies to rest on while I drive." Kennedy clicked around some more, finding what she was looking for, she smiled with satisfaction. "You're all going to get to rest." "Huh?" "I just rented you a limo with a bed across the back, and a driver to take you to Midland." She printed out the confirmation page. "Shea, you really didn't have to do that." Parker hesitated, then continued. "But I really do appreciate it. I'm wiped. The drive was going to be a killer." "You both need your rest. With five kids, two of them in diapers, and 2 a.m. feedings, I expect you'll catch up on your sleep sometime after the last one graduates from high school." She chuckled, then grew somber. "Paparazzi been nosing around there?" "Yeah," Parker drawled. "I wasn't going to say anything, but since you asked. The hospital security guard told them to take a hike, but I think they've been bugging the reception desk too. We appreciate the offer of staying over a few more days, but …" He trailed off. "You can say it, Parker. You won't hurt my feelings." Life had turned completely upside down, and she could yell it didn't matter all she wanted, but the truth was, when it began to affect the people she loved, it did. "They're still driving up and down the road in front of the house, too. Not much of a way to spend your first couple of days with your new daughters. I can run them off my property, but until the county sheriff decides they're a menace, there isn't much I can do to keep them off a public road." "Is Carson home alone to fend for herself?" "No." Kennedy swiveled around in her desk chair and propped her booted feet up on the desk top. Her concession for coming into the office was ripped jeans, her oldest pair of boots, and a soft, worn t-shirt that hugged her body, a faded, dancing Mr. Bubble proclaiming 'makes getting clean almost as much fun as getting dirty.' Heh. 'Almost,' she mused to herself. "I had our security company send a couple of cars out to block the road so we could leave without being followed. I imagine the ticket from the City of Lago Vista for the fine will be sitting in my mail in a few days, but frankly, they can kiss my ass. It was worth every penny. Carson rode most of the way into the office with me, and I stopped a few blocks from here and put her in a cab to the Driskill. With any luck I'll be joining her tonight. I had a second room booked for you and Katie and the babies, if you want to wait one more night before heading out. I figured the house wouldn't be a good option for any of us tonight." "Oh, sis, that is extremely generous, but I think we just need to get home. Most of the baby stuff is there, and two newborns in a hotel room --" "Lot of work, huh?" Kennedy had no real experience with babies, save helping out with Pete. She hadn't been the babysitting type in high school. Most of the parents were afraid of her. "More than I care to think about, thank you very much." Parker sighed. "Do you realize I could be a grandfather by the time these two graduate from high school? Erin will be 30. Even Nathan will be 26." "You could be an uncle, too," Kennedy helpfully added. "Oh, that reminds me. I go under the knife in three weeks. Is that enough time for y'all to find a fertility clinic or someplace that will hold my swimmers for you?" "Yeah. I found a place here and Carson knows about it, so we're good to take delivery whenever you are." She smiled. That conversation had gone much better than the first one had. Much, much better. "Any chance that anytime soon y'all will …?" "No," Kennedy cut him off. "Carson is only 28. Even if we decide to do it the old fashioned way, we have plenty of time." She laughed lightly. "Well, as close to old fashioned as we can, at any rate. No. We need some more couple time before we take that step." "Smart women," Parker commended her. "I guess you know that Katie was …"

"I can count nine months, Parker, yes." She could still remember the knowing exchange between her parents when that phone call had come. Most couples didn't willingly get pregnant on their honeymoon, and when Erin popped out seven months later at a strapping 9 lbs. and 21 inches long, the claim she was two months premature had been laughable in the extreme. "I mean, the wedding was already planned. We just kind of did things a little backward." His voice grew soft. "Not that I'd trade her for the world, but morning sickness on your honeymoon really does put a damper on the mood." "Ooo, sorry, bro. I had no idea." "You don't know the half of it," he chuckled. "The reason our wedding started thirty minutes late was because Katie was sick as a dog and afraid to put her dress on until it passed." "Parker." Kennedy rolled her eyes. "Who do you think was holding her head? I was a bridesmaid, remember?" "You knew all along?" "Well hell, Parker, I was at the bachelorette party too. It didn't take rocket science to figure a woman who drank sparkling apple cider all night wasn't puking her guts out because she was hung over. Not to mention that whole 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue' thing." "Huh?" "For the blue part, she had a little pink bootie and a little blue bootie pinned inside her wedding dress, silly boy." She laughed at the startled silence on the other end of the line. "I don't think she was too terribly upset at how things turned out." "Really?" Even without seeing his face, it was obvious Parker was stunned. "I mean, she kept telling me she wasn't upset, and she kept telling me it changed nothing, but I had no idea. Thanks for telling me, Shea. I have to admit there were times when I wondered if she had any regrets. Life is what it is, but I always thought maybe she'd sacrificed a few dreams for me." "Oh, lord, Parker. I should come spank you." Kennedy shook her head. "That woman is done gone on you, even after you knocking her up four times. You are her dream." "Um, sis. I need to go." "Everything okay?" "Yes. I just need to hang up so I can go kiss my wife senseless." Kennedy burst out laughing. "You know, I think you have the right idea. I need to go, too." "Bye, sis." "Bye, bro." Listening to Parker's happiness, Kennedy realized just how lucky they both were. At that moment, ads, and the press, and politics no longer mattered. Everything that was important to her was just a phone call away. She pressed a speed dial button, grinning from ear to ear as a dreamy voice answered. "Hey babe. You rock my world." Press, what press? "And you make mine go round." Kennedy logged off her computer and shoved a few files in a brief case. "What are you doing right now?" "Sitting in a Jacuzzi tub full of bubbles with a mimosa, and listening to the Pastoral Symphony. This place is divine, K. I can see for miles from the balcony. The bed is big enough for a football team and they left a platter of chocolate-covered strawberries on the nightstand." "Still stressed?" Kennedy heard slightly-disjointed laughter and a distinct splashing sound. "Everything okay?" "Stress?" Carson laughed. "I feel like a piece of spaghetti." "What was that noise?" "I had to crawl over and re-set the jets." "Ah. You pruney already?" "No, why?" "I'm on my way." "Cool. I'll still be naked when you get here." Kennedy hung up, rising so fast from her chair that she saw spots for a moment. She looked down at Mr. Bubble and laughed. Sometimes getting clean and getting dirty were interchangeable. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Kennedy keyed the lock with her hotel-issued card and entered the room, 'room' being an understatement. "This place could house a small country," she muttered. "Hope I find Carson before the water gets cold." She sat down in an over-stuffed leather chair and removed her boots, dropping them with a thunk on the stone hearth of the fireplace next to her. "I'd enjoy it a whole lot more if you'd come in here to undress," Carson called out from somewhere in the hinterlands of the cavernous space. "Oh you would, huh?" Kennedy grinned, following her voice until she entered a bathroom the size of their kitchen. "Holy moly." She sat down again, this time on a very pink and fluffy satin-covered vanity stool. "Yeah." Carson sidled up to the tub's rim and rested her chin on her arms, batting her eyelashes. "Very much so." She eyed the t-shirt. "Oh, that's appropriate." "Ya think?" Kennedy winked at her, and made slower work than usual of removing her clothing, teasingly removing her belt and giving it a twirl before she folded it together and smacked her palm with the thick leather. She watched Carson's eyes grow round, and laughed. "No?" She feigned disappointment, then set the belt aside, reaching down and pulling off her socks. "No." Carson shook a finger at her. "I see 'bad' Kennedy has come to play with me." "I thought bad Kennedy was the one you invited over for this here play date, little lady." Kennedy attempted to mimic John Wayne with her voice, then stood and drew Mr. Bubble over her head, tossing him in the corner. "Besides, I thought you'd come to like being spanked." "We don't … I mean, we haven't … oh, get undressed and get in this tub, woman, before I come over there and spank you!" Carson blew a breath of air toward the ceiling, puffing her bangs up. "Promises, promises." Kennedy removed her bra and then popped open the buttons on her fly, one by one, and made a show of sliding them down her legs, taking her underwear with them. Finally she stood, holding her arms outstretched. "Marco!" "Polo!" Carson laughed. "If we're going to play that game, one of us needs to have our eyes closed, and since you started it." "Alright." Kennedy closed her eyes, picturing the distance to the tub in her mind's eye. Bruised shins would really dampen the mood. She took a few steps and stopped, cocking her head to the side, listening to the whir of the tub's jets, before she began walking again, confidently allowing the bubbling noise to guide her. Just as she reached the tub, she knelt down and touched it. "Okay, I'm here, now what?" A gliding touch along her arm and across the tops of her breasts was her answer. Then another hand cradled the back of her head and drew her forward. Their lips met and Kennedy pressed forward, as those hands helped her climb into the tub, where she was quickly scooped into a warm embrace, pulling her back against Carson until she was settled in a nest of Carson's arms and legs. "This is nice." She slid down a bit and rested her head back against Carson's shoulder, turning her face to the side. They kissed again and Carson's hands slowly traveled up Kennedy's arms and across her shoulders. It was a dizzying kiss, made moreso with her eyes closed, as the world became one of touch and taste and smell. "Very nice," Carson agreed. Her hands moved down, and she traced circles around Kennedy's breasts, then cupped them in her hands, brushing her thumbs across sensitive nipples. "God." Kennedy draped her arms along the sides of the tub, giving Carson better access. She was rewarded with little nips to the back of her neck, followed by a very pleasant sensation of suction, as Carson took Kennedy's skin into her mouth. "Don't worry," Carson bit down gently on an earlobe. "I'll only leave marks where your hair will cove them. Just -- you're so yummy, I couldn't help it." "Agghphhh." A kiss cut her off and Kennedy went with it, Carson's lips and tongue and fingers creating chills that danced along her skin in distinct contrast to the hot water bubbling all around them. It was a bit like levitating. "Darlin', mark me anywhere you damned well please," she finally gasped. Laughter from behind her vibrated against her back, and Carson leaned forward, pulling Kennedy more tightly against her. Kennedy felt hardened nipples pressing into her, and she reached down, slipping a hand beneath one of Carson's legs, stroking the sensitive spots all along the back of her thigh. She heard Carson's breathing catch, and felt her press herself more firmly against Kennedy's back. "Like that?" Kennedy reached down with her other hand and lifted one of Carson's, kissing her palm and then licking it, before she guided the hand back down into the water, placing it against her own stomach. "You know I do." Carson began kissing her way across Kennedy's shoulders, then rested her chin to one side, as her hands slid slowly down Kennedy' stomach. Kennedy covered Carson's hands with her own, only going along for the ride, fairly certain where they were headed. "And I like doing this, very, very much." "Ah, babe --" Kennedy completely relaxed and laid back once more, as Carson stroked lightly down one inner thigh and back up the other. "This is so delicious." Carson kissed the side of her neck, while touching her deeply, stroking and teasing, urging her to let go. Kennedy grasped the sides of the tub once more, raising her knees as her body reacted, rocking in time to Carson's gentle, knowing motions. The sensations spiraled all around her, then gathered and centered in one spot, before her body finally, truly did levitate, sending waves of water over the sides of the tub. "Ahhhhh." Kennedy felt Carson holding her close, and she hissed with pleasure, releasing her breath in short puffs through slightly-parted lips. Slowly, she relaxed again, feeling Carson surrounding her both bodily and with love, her hands stroking Kennedy everywhere, and soft nonsense words filling her ears. Finally, she opened her eyes to spot two sparkling gray ones very close by. "Hello, beautiful." Carson rubbed noses with her. Kennedy smiled, her chest still heaving. She reached over and took Carson's face in both hands, kissing her with obvious intent, tasting and probing her lover's mouth. She stroked down Carson's shoulder and arm, taking her hand and studying it, noting a slight puckering of the skin at Carson's fingertips. "Why don't we take this to that big ol' bed in there, before you turn into a raisin?" "I like the way you think." Carson scooted back and they both stood, carefully stepping out of the tub. "Oh, awesome." Carson handed her a large bath sheet. "What? -- Oh. Nice." The towel rack was obviously heated, and she took the long, plush piece of warm, clean terry, wrapping them both up, pulling Carson to her and kissing her again, as she slipped a knee between Carson's legs. "Even nicer," she burred into Carson's ear. "Easy." Carson hugged her, while carefully disengaging herself from Kennedy's knee. She kissed the curves of both breasts and then looked up, her eyes half-closed, mirroring Kennedy's desire. "Easy?" Kennedy tilted her head in question. "I had twenty minutes to lie in that tub and do nothing but think about you -- us --" she corrected herself. "I have a very vivid imagination, and I think the minute you touch me, I'm going to explode." "Alright, darlin'." Kennedy braced herself, then bent down and hefted Carson into her arms. "If it's easy you want, it's easy you'll get. We've got all afternoon." She'd done this a few times, and each time was grateful for the hours she spent in the gym, pumping iron, allowing her to do this one thing that she loved, holding Carson protectively, and knowing Carson felt safe in her arms. Carson looked up at her, her cheeks flushed with anticipation, her eyes full of trust and something more -- a surrender that meant neither of them was giving up or giving in, but rather giving of themselves to each other. "I love you," Carson's simple declaration floated around her as Kennedy made her way to the very inviting bed. "And I love you, too." Kennedy placed her carefully on the bed, crawling after her and hovering over her, looking down and reaching out, eager to touch all that soft, warm, skin. "Very much. Turn over, sweetheart." Carson immediately complied, stretching out and resting her cheek against folded arms. Kennedy straddled her and leaned over, kissing Carson's neck and shoulders, and then gently stroking her back in one long, languid motion, from the nape of her neck to just below her butt cheeks. She kept up the unhurried touch, moving up and down, hearing Carson's sighs of both pleasure and relaxation. Gradually, her strokes moved lower, massaging hamstrings and calves, and even Carson's feet, before she teased her fingers inward, up the inside of a calf and around the curve of an inner thigh. She cupped Carson for only a moment, then glided slowly down the inside of her other leg, and then back up, before cupping her again and pressing inward with the palm of her hand. "Lord, you are killing me," Carson murmured, her hips coming off the mattress. "In the best possible way." "Roll over," Kennedy urged, cradling Carson in her arms and helping her, easing her back down with her head against a pillow. Carson laid back, her arms curved up and over her head. "All yours," she reached up, touching Kennedy's face, guiding her down for a kiss. Kennedy readily lowered herself, enjoying the sensation of their bodies touching all along their length, feeling one of Carson's legs pressed between her own, even as she returned the favor in kind. Ever so slowly, she raised herself, bracing her weight on both hands and locking her elbows, as she began rocking against Carson, who eagerly rocked back. As Carson reached up to touch Kennedy's breasts, Kennedy reached down between them, spreading Carson, teasing her open, before she pressed back against her once more with a rock-hard thigh. "Oh, god." Carson's eyes slammed shut and she reached up, holding onto Kennedy. "Look at me," Kennedy traced first one eyebrow and then the other, watching gray eyes flutter open. "Look at me," she repeated with a whisper. "I love your eyes, so much." Carson's lips parted, just the tip of her tongue licking the top one, before she began to pant. "Oh, god, K. I can't --" she cried out and wrapped her arms around Kennedy, pulling her close and pressing her face into her shoulder, as her body did indeed, implode, her stomach muscles rolling over and over again until finally she sank back down, one arm tossed across her face, covering her eyes. "Lord." Kennedy kissed her everywhere, then with an evil chuckle, began working her way down. "K." An insistent hand pressed against her head, then gave a tug to a lock of hair. "Sorry, babe. No more." "Only one?" Kennedy eased up on her attentions and slid up, pulling Carson into her arms and cradling her against her. "Yes, but it was a real big one." Carson nuzzled her breast and then placed one hand over it in a protective gesture. "It just doesn't get much better than that one." She sighed dreamily. Kennedy burst out laughing. "You are priceless." She kissed the top of Carson's head. "And a flatterer as well." "I mean it." Carson wriggled against her, tossing one leg across Kennedy's hips. "If you had told me a year ago that my life would be this good, I'd have though it was some cruel joke. I never dreamed I could feel this way about someone." She pushed up, just enough to see Kennedy's face. "The way I feel about you - sometimes I think I'm just going to burst, it fills me up so much. Is it possible to simply explode from happiness?" "Well, you kind of did, just now. Maybe that's why god created orgasms - to give us a place to release all that emotion." Kennedy smiled. "The feeling is completely mutual, sweetheart. What we share in bed is amazing, but what we share here --" she touched first Carson's head and then her own. "And here --" she placed one hand over Carson's heart and the other over her own. "It's off the scale. So when we join our bodies and our minds and our hearts all at the same time --" "Ka-Pow!" Carson laughed. "Exactly." Kennedy wrapped her arms around Carson. It felt so good to simply be together, sharing a level of intimacy and comfort unthinkable less than one year earlier. She reveled in the emotion swirling around them, pushing back all the bad things she still had to face. "K?" Carson began rubbing Kennedy's stomach. "Yes?" "I left a message for those kids to call me." She bit her lower lip and looked up. "The ones we made the film with. I need to talk to them. I just have to know what happened. They seemed so sincere. I hope you don't mind. I hate what's been done with that -- hate that someone would take something that we did for fun and for a good cause, and twist it around like that." "Some people are just mean, Carson." Kennedy stroked her hair, smoothing it back. "Or so desperate to keep what they have, be it public office, or whatever, that they'll do morally-wrong and hurtful things to get what they want. To me, it doesn't even matter, really. Other than for it hurting you and Parker and Katie. Ultimately, I know Roy was behind it, no matter who helped him." "But they hurt you, too!" Carson frowned, and Kennedy traced the lines on her forehead until they disappeared. "Yeah, some," Kennedy admitted. "But even if I do find out how that commercial came to be, it doesn't change anything. I can't -- Carson, I can't and won't temper the way I live my life, just to be elected. I was numb for a very long time. Then I met you and I felt so alive, for the first time in ages. I want to live and love and be who I am without worrying about looking over my shoulder. Making that film -- sure it was for a good cause, but it was also a chance to play with you, and do something you wanted to do, and get to see a side of you I hadn't seen before. I wouldn't trade that for anything, much less a few measly votes." "But do you mind if I talk to them?" "Oh, no. Of course not. If it will make you feel better, go right ahead." "Thanks." Carson patted her belly. "It may not change anything for you, but for me, I think I have this thing - I like to know who I can trust, and those kids seemed trustworthy. I -- I guess I should tell you now, that I've polished up my resume." "Oh?' Kennedy frowned at the sudden change of subject. "With a slant toward getting a job in my major field - maybe with the studios over at the old airport or maybe with one of the TV stations." Ah. Not so sudden a change after all. "I think you should go for whatever will make you happy. You know you have my blessing on that, even if you decide you want to be a domestic goddess." Carson giggled. "Thank you for not saying 'houswife'. But no, I need to work, for now. I want to feel like I'm doing something constructive with my time and that I'm pulling my weight." "I didn't really think you'd pick the stay-at-home route." Kennedy smiled. "Just wanted you to know that as far as I'm concerned, you should go for whatever it is your heart desires." "I already have that." Carson kissed her shoulder. "Mmmm." She kissed it again. "Tasty." "Speaking of, how about we order some room service for lunch?" Kennedy located a remote in a headboard cubby hole and turned on a TV the size of their dining room table. She located the channel with hotel services and found the restaurant menu. "Oh, this is the place with the killer chocolate cheesecake." "Two of those, please. One for me and one for you." Carson rolled over on her back and hitched up onto a pillow so she could see better. "And the filet mignon looks good. With a baked potato and those artichoke hearts." "Hungry?" "I worked up an appetite." Carson glanced at her and smiled. "Gotta refuel." "You sure do." Kennedy turned and stretched out, tracing a lazy line from the hollow of Carson's throat down to her navel. "Later, I'd like to see if I can top the 'really big one'." "Oooo." Carson grinned cheekily. "Maybe I should go for the loaded baked potato with that steak. Then I'm going to cover you in chocolate cheesecake and have dessert." "Oh, yeah." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Continued in Chapter 10

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